Mike Brown's philosophy is, and has always been, "one day, one game at a time." During the course of a grueling 82-game schedule, it's a tenet that truly comes in handy. It keeps the Cavaliers from getting too high after a win and too low after a loss.
That's why we shouldn't read too much into Wednesday night's loss in Detroit. It was only their second loss in the month of November and a game in which the Cavaliers led by 13 points in the second half. But it also raises a couple of question marks about how legitimate the Cavaliers are as contenders in the East. They've beaten the Nets and the Bulls and the Bobcats. But they've fallen back into old habits against teams like the Celtics and the Pistons.
But it's also important to remember that, for as good as they looked during their recent eight-game run, they're still a work in progress. Mike Brown still hasn't solidified his rotation, there still might be moves to be made, Boobie will snap out of his slump and J.J. Hickson will learn to go straight up with the ball after grabbing a rebound.
Mike Brown was visibly bothered by the loss. He was as upset after Wednesday's defeat as he's been all season. And it actually had little to do with the fact that it snapped a win streak.
"(Detroit) turned it up with their pressure and we didn't respond at all," lamented Brown. "We didn't respond well at all in the second half to their aggressive play and that was disappointing tonight."
More than anything, the Cavaliers need to win in Detroit (and Boston) to get over the mental aspect of playing at The Palace. They've lost four straight there, and LeBron's 48-point performance in the Eastern Conference Finals there seems like it was a long time ago.
Mo Williams almost single-handedly kept the Cavaliers in the ballgame, netting 13 points in the final period. Williams has been red-hot over the past week, averaging over 21 points per contest.
"Down the stretch they made plays," said Williams. "It's two good teams and it comes down to who makes plays down the stretch. It was 11 at the half but that's nothing against good teams. If it had been the other way around, we would have made a run. After 'Sheed hit those buckets, they went up eight and we started to press - trying to make something happen."
It's still too early to tell, but the preseason outlook that it could be a three-team race in the East looks to be shaping up just like that. Detroit looked great on Wednesday, but got crushed on Thursday night in Beantown. The Cavaliers haven't topped either team this season and probably won't get the respect they deserve until they do. (Unfortunately they don't get another shot at Boston until January 3 at The Q or Detroit until February 1 back in Motown.)
In the meantime, the Wine and Gold have another winning streak to try to assemble, beginning with Saturday's showdown with the Hawks, who have come back down to earth after running off six straight to start the season.
That game tips off a tough run for the Cavaliers. They'll get Sunday and Monday off, but next week, the Thanksgiving holiday is sandwiched by four games in five nights: a back-to-back with New York and Oklahoma City before Turkey Day and a back-to-back with Golden State and Milwaukee afterwards.
But before they worry about next week's tetrad, they have to focus on Atlanta. Every eight-game win streak starts with one game, one day at a time.
The words - "on paper" - are always cautionary, a good way to temper expectations.
"On paper" this is the best Cavaliers team the organization has fielded since LeBron arrived in 2003. And I don't think anyone doubts that the paper version of this club will soon be up and running at full capacity. But through three games, with a marquee matchup with the Mavs on Monday, the Wine and Gold have struggled to find their identity.
LeBron James, as always, has played fantastic floor games through the first three games - he's flirted with a triple-double every night out and he leads the team with 9.3 assists. But his scoring average is double-figures below what it was last year.
The knock on LBJ - and I use the word loosely - has always been that he's too unselfish. He's been getting his teammates involved in a major way; doling out 13 dimes on Saturday night alone. But he hasn't found his own offensive rhythm and the Cavaliers, as a whole, have put together solid stretches on the road, but not quite a 48-minute run.
"We have a lot of new sets and having a new point guard learning the whole offense - we're still a work in progress," said James, "We're going to have some turnovers; we just need to cut down on the unforced turnovers.
"We're still learning on the fly."
Cleveland turned the ball over 22 times in Boston and 18 more on Saturday night. LeBron had five of the 18 with Mo Williams committing four. Williams has been hard on himself over his slow start, but he's actually had a pretty solid troika of games - averaging 13.3 points and 4.3 assists heading into Dallas.
"Everything is a process, as far as team-wise," said Williams. "It's new scenery, a new team, new teammates, new system. Once I get to the point where I'm comfortable and I know my spots and the plays that get guys where they want to be, I think it'll be a whole lot better."
As Austin Carr said in his blog, however, the Cavaliers have to learn on the fly while simultaneously getting some victories. That's a tall order considering Cleveland's first three road opponents won 173 combined games last year. It's been baptism by fire.
After Monday's meeting in Texas, where the Cavaliers won last year for the first time since LeBron was in high school, the Wine and Gold play five of the next six at home, including four against Division rivals. Carlos Boozer and Carmelo Anthony come to town in the other two.
It's just a matter of time before the Cavaliers start to gel for four quarters. When they do, the eagerly-anticipated team "on paper" should start translating it to the hardwood.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 09:55 AM EST
[General]
This past Sunday, the Redeem Team completed its mission in the Far East - taking home the Gold after running the table at the 2008 Olympics. LeBron James emerged as the Redeem Team's leader and, along with Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, returned the Men's Team to its former top status on the podium.
The free agent market has been sorted through and some big trades have been made. For the rest of (what's left of) the summer, players will rest themselves up for the seven-month, 82-game journey into the unknown.
With the offseason's dog days upon us - and Training Camp slowly approaching - I thought this would be a perfect time to break out the crystal ball. And, as we did following my last blog, I'd like to see your preseason picks as well.
I've broken my picks down into six awards. I'm looking at some of the awards through Wine and Gold glasses, so please forgive my hometown bias. (You can go ahead and call me a ‘Cavaliers shill'. I've been called worse.)
The most difficult category to predict is probably Coach of the Year - mostly because we don't yet know what type of adversity or circumstances he'll have to work through to win the award.
With that in mind, here goes. Please feel free to respond below with your picks ...
1. MVP - LeBron James, Cavaliers - It seems as if the Chosen One has been in the MVP argument every year since he arrived from SVSM, but this could be the year that LeBron cements his status as the world's best baller. This year, No. 23 won his first scoring title and grabbed the Gold in Beijing. He only has two major accomplishments remaining - being named Most Valuable Player and winning the NBA Championship. If he gets the former, there's a good chance that the Wine and Gold are on their way towards the latter. LeBron has improved exponentially every year and the team is improving around him. This is the year that he wins the MVP award. Honorable mention: Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Baron Davis
2. Defensive Player of the Year - Ron Artest, Rockets - After a year-and-a-half toiling in relative obscurity in Sacramento, the former St. John's star returns to relevance with the Rockets. With the presence of Yao Ming, Shane Battier and bruiser, Chuck Hayes, surrounding him, Artest won't need to be dominant defensively. But if he's motivated, jives with the coach and his team is winning - it would be tough to bet against him. Honorable Mention: Kevin Garnett, Marcus Camby, Josh Smith, Shane Battier, LeBron James, Bruce Bowen, Tayshaun Prince
3. Most Improved - Sasha Pavlovic, Cavaliers - Maybe this is a hopeful pick, but Sasha - just 11 months older than LeBron James - should be about ready to break out. After showing his stuff on both ends of the floor down the stretch and in the playoffs back in 2006-07, Sasha took a step backwards last season - thanks, in part, to missing Camp with a contract holdout. Cavaliers fans and coaches have seen glimpses of greatness with the former first-rounder, now they'd just like to see some consistency. (And for Sasha to finish at the rim!) Honorable Mention: Yi Jianlian, Nick Young, Jose Calderon, Daniel Gibson, Chris Duhon, Paul Milsap, Marcus Williams, Matt Barnes
4. Sixth Man - David Lee, Knicks - As much as I'd like to stay on the Wine and Gold track and give this to Daniel Gibson, and as tough as it is to pick against last year's winner, Manu Ginobili, I thought I'd go out on a limb and dub the Knicks' David Lee for the top Sixth Man this season. Already a high-energy player, he'll get even more juice running in Mike D'Antoni's new system in New York. The former Gator has always given the Cavaliers problems. Now in his fourth season, Lee shows that he's not just a hustle guy and wins the award for top reserve. Honorable Mention: Manu Ginobili, Daniel Gibson, Kyle Korver, Linas Kleiza, Rony Turiaf, Jordan Farmar, Shane Battier, Eddie House
5. Rookie of the Year - Greg Oden, Blazers - Although the Draft class of 2008 could be a good one, I have to go with the gem of '07 - Portland's Greg Oden. The former OSU stud missed all of what would have been his rookie season while recovering from microfracture surgery, but has been working out in Portland to stellar reviews. It also doesn't hurt that he'll have a solid team around him - including a pair strong point guards and a rising star in Brandon Roy. If Oden performs like he has been predicted to, the Blazers could be the surprise team of the league. Honorable Mention: Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, J.J. Hickson, Eric Gordon, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love
6. Coach of the Year - Scott Skiles, Bucks - Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is, and always will be, in a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don't position. If he wins, critics say it's because of LeBron James. If he loses, critics ask how can you lose with a guy like LeBron James? As the Rodney Dangerfield of head coaches, I can't see Coach Brown winning the award - whether he deserves it or not. With that in mind, I'll stay in the Central and give the nod to new Bucks coach, Scott Skiles. His act seemed to wear thin in Chicago, but if he can bring any semblance of defense to the previously-defenseless Bucks (and of course gets them into the playoffs) Skiles could be tabbed top coach. Honorable Mention: Mike D'Antoni, Mike Brown, Sam Mitchell, Gregg Popovich, Stan Van Gundy, Michael Curry, Mike Dunleavy
I was thrilled last week when GM Danny Ferry made the bold three-team trade to acquire Mo Williams from the Bucks. Not only do the Cavaliers now have a young, explosive point guard who can break down defenders off the dribble, but now I won’t have to placate my hot-blooded Pops, who – at least once a week – asks me: “When the #%& is Ferry going to do something?”
In an off-season that has seen players jumping from coast to coast, and nearly a dozen more leave the country altogether, Ferry has shown the virtue of patience – waiting for the right move at the right time. Damon Jones and Joe Smith were good guys and nice off the bench, but they were both thirty-something players on the other side of their careers. Mo Williams is entering his prime.
LeBron gave it an “A.”
The move did bring up a couple question marks. One is at power forward – where it looks like first-rounder J.J. Hickson will get more time than previously expected. Maybe.
“The opening could possibly allow an opportunity for J.J. to see some playing time this year, as well as (second-rounder) Darnell Jackson,” said Ferry on the day of the deal. “As for J.J., we like the foundation that he’s created with us this summer. He’s worked hard; he’s shown his talent level. He’s willing to get in the gym and work on his game."
“At the same time, that doesn’t mean we’re not going to go out and explore opportunities to add depth to our Bigs – whether that happens now or happens at the trade deadline.”
The other question is now whether Delonte West – who looked like a shoo-in as next season’s starting point guard when last season ended – will return to Cleveland. He’s in a precarious position as a restricted free agent, but Ferry was adamant about wanting Delonte back, saying this move “changes nothing.”
He added: “We’re still are of the mindset of working with Delonte and his agent to find a contract that works for everyone.”
The Cavaliers – at the doorstep of the Championship two years ago and a game away from knocking off the Champs last year – are still a work in progress. And Danny Ferry still has face cards in his hand.
If you’re wondering how the world outside of the Wine and Gold is turning, here’s a Cliff Notes version on who’s done what at the halfway point of the off-season – including the Pistons getting the top pick in the draft, the Clippers and Nets continuing their makeover, and several former Cavaliers on the move. …
(NOTE: Homework assignment to follow.)
Alright, so the Pistons got the former top pick in the draft – inking Kwame Brown to a two-year deal. Drafted by Michael Jordan out of high school in 2001, Brown is on his fourth team. Pistons GM Joe Dumars indicated that big moves would be made in Motown this off-season. This one doesn’t count.
By dealing Mo Williams, the Bucks dump some of the salary they took on when they acquired Richard Jefferson and re-signed Andrew Bogut. They head into the 2008-09 campaign with a pair of pass-first guards: Luke Ridnour and the underrated Ramon Sessions. They lost one Cavalier-Killer (ironically, to the Cavaliers). But Tyronn Lue is still lurking off the bench.
Speaking of Cavalier-Killers, I’m sure I’m not the only one happy to see James Posey switching Conferences. LeBron might have given Hornets GM Jeff Bowers an “A” for that one, too.
Finally-hopeful Hawks fans can rest a little easier after having matched Memphis’ offer sheet to high-flying forward, Josh Smith. After their scintillating playoff run last spring – taking the eventual World Champs to seven games in the first round – they lost Josh Childress to a team in Greece with bupkus for compensation. Atlanta also recently signed former Cavalier, Flip Murray.
Some other former Cavaliers on the move are Shannon Brown (Chicago to Charlotte), Ricky Davis (Miami to L.A. Clippers), Brevin Knight (Charlotte to Utah), and Matt Barnes (Oakland to Phoenix). Earl Boykins, who never did wind up back in Cleveland, bolted the States, altogether – signing a one-year deal in Italy.
Some teams added big pieces, like Toronto acquiring Jermaine O’Neal and Philly inking Elton Brand or the Rockets trading for Ron Artest. And then other teams did a complete extreme makeover. The Clippers have nine new faces from last year, including Marcus Camby in the frontcourt and Baron Davis at the point.
Closer to home, the Pacers are in the midst of a major overhaul and it looks like there are more moves to come. The Nets dumped Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, lost Bostjan Nachbar to Russia and DeSagana Diop went back to Dallas. They added Keyon Dooling, Yi Jianlian, Bobby Simmons and what could be a very strong draft class. The Knicks facelift hasn’t happened yet, but it’s a safe bet to say it’s on the way.
So, in light of the off-season moves that have been made so far, my question to you is: How do you see the Playoff picture – 1 through 8 – shaking out this season? (just click the “POST” button, below)
I have to recuse myself from the Eastern Conference survey because I work for the Cavaliers, but here’s how I see the West shaking out this season …
The West will be solid top-to-bottom again this season, but will it be three of four overall for the East? Let’s see how you rank the squads as of now. We’ll worry about the Larry O’Brien Trophy in a few months.
No one should read too much into the fact that the Cavaliers Summer League squad took the collar (0-5) last week in Las Vegas. What was most noteworthy about the Wine and Gold's week in the desert was J.J. Hickson's extremely impressive performance.
In five contests, the No. 19 overall pick led the team - netting 19.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He shot .534 from the floor (39-for-73) and grabbed more offensive rebounds (20) than defensive (19). The Atlanta native turned the ball over a bit much (18) and shot just 50 percent from the line (19-for-38), but if those are problems, Danny Ferry leaves Sin City as a very happy man.
Of course, it's only Summer League and the competition gets really fierce in about three months. But if anyone was wondering what the rookie would look like when he hit the hardwood - last week was a pretty encouraging preview.
Hickson is aggressive, has a plethora of post moves and is more than comfortable playing with his back to the basket. He may not be able to contribute right away, but this 19-year-old doesn't have any shame in his game on the offensive end - something the Cavaliers are seeking considering Anderson Varejao and Ben Wallace's limitations on that end of the floor.
Hickson's rookie teammate, Darnell Jackson, turned in a solid showing - averaging 5.8 points and 5.4 boards per contest. Though nowhere near as skilled as Hickson, the former Jayhawk could shape up into a nice "rotational" player for Mike Brown.
In an interview with cavs.com, Jackson said that he plays with a bit of a "mean streak." And that's as welcome in the Cavaliers' frontcourt as Hickson's offensive presence in the post. It'll be interesting to see how both fare when Training Camp tips off in October.
Robert Traylor, maybe the best story from Vegas, didn't set the League on fire in the Cavaliers five games. He was active and apparently was impressive in practice. But he averaged just 5.3 points and 5.0 boards - playing around 17 minutes per outing.
Tractor might still be invited to Training Camp and, even if he isn't, breathed a little life into an NBA career that was all but extinguished after he left the Cavaliers. Plenty of players have parlayed 10-day contracts into nice runs in the Association. (see: Ehlo, Craig)
Aside from the rookie duo and Traylor, it was Lima, Ohio's own Clay Tucker who was most impressive. The one-time MVP of the Horizon League and UW-Milwaukee's all-time leading scorer averaged 15.0 ppg, including a 23-point outing off the bench in Saturday night's loss to the Hornets.
Lance Allred and Billy Thomas - the Cavaliers two major D-League call-ups from last season, each of whom made Cleveland's playoff roster - didn't do much to help their cause last week in Las Vegas. Allred averaged 2.3 ppg; Thomas clocked in at 5.0 ppg - but shot just .267 (4-for-15) from the floor.
Summer League is what it is. Some players will go on to be NBA stars, some will hit the D-League in the hopes of a shot at the Show, and some will prepare their passport for a trip overseas to play ball.
This year's Cavaliers' roster likely had a little from each category - and hopefully more of the former than the latter.
